Share

Five quotes that sealed Rob Packham's fate

Constantia businessman Rob Packham was on Monday found guilty of killing his wife Gill in February 2018 and for attempting to defeat the ends of justice by setting her car and body alight.

He remained expressionless as he was led away to the court's holding cells, ahead of sentencing on Tuesday.

Here are five quotes from Western Cape High Court Judge Elize Steyn that sealed his fate:

1) Credibility

"... the accused was a crafty, competent deceiver who was living what has shown to be a selfish, destructive life... the accused has shown himself to be an accomplished liar and deceiver who deceived his wife and to an extent his paramour, as well as his family."

2) State Witnesses

"I am satisfied with and accept the evidence of all the State witnesses, whom I find honest, reliable, consistent and credible, and whose versions, carefully weighed up, were reasonably, possibly true... Gray and Thomas [eyewitnesses] both had a good opportunity of observation."

3) Demeanour

"The accused did not act in a manner expected of a distraught and later bereaved husband and when he was challenged about his conduct, he responded in a manner incompatible with the situation. During the proceedings in court, the accused did not express emotion, not even when the pathologist gave gruesome evidence of the injuries to the deceased."

4) Evidence

"The totality of the evidence points overwhelmingly to the guilt of the accused considering legal principles quoted. I find that the State has discharged the onus resting on it to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. His version is clearly fabricated, cannot reasonably, possibly or probably be true and is rejected."

5) Judge's finding

"The only reasonable inference from the totality of evidence before court is that the accused was the person who killed his wife, placed her in the boot of her own vehicle and set the vehicle alight to dispose of incriminating evidence. Thereafter he supplied false information to the police. The manner and cause of death, and the nature of the injuries sustained show that the accused had the direct intention to kill the deceased."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 455 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 651 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
+1.3%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE